Australia v Fiji LIVE: Result and reaction from thrilling Rugby World Cup clash

Australia 15-22 Fiji: Fiji keep their quarter-final hopes alive with a first win over the Wallabies since 1954

(Getty Images)

Fiji threw the outcome of Rugby World Cup Pool C wide open with a 22-15 win over Australia, in the first upset result of the tournament in France.

Fiji, who had lost narrowly to Wales in their opening game, are now in line for a spot in the knockout stages, leaving Australia needing to beat the Welsh and setting up the prospect of a nail-biting tussle to decide the top two places in the pool.

Simione Kuruvoli kicked four first-half penalties to give Fiji, better known for their running rugby, a 12-8 lead at the break and a Wallaby defensive error allowed Josua Tuisova to score a try early in the second half.

Fiji opened up a 22-8 lead with 12 minutes left before Suli Vunivalu reduced the deficit with a try for Australia, for whom Mark Nawaqanitawase also scored a first-half try, but Fiji held on for a first win over the Wallabies since 1954.

Get all the Rugby World Cup odds here.

Australia vs Fiji latest updates

• Fiji beat Australia 22-15 with superb performance to keep their quarter-final hopes alive
• The Wallabies lost to Fiji for the first time since 1954 and now face a crunch fixture against Wales.
• FULL-TIME! Australia 15-22 Fiji
• 68’ - TRY! Vunivalu squeezes over to narrow Australia’s deficit (AUS 15-22 FIJ)
• 43’ - TRY! Tuisova pounces as Wallabies let a box kick bounce (AUS 8-19 FIJ)
• 32’ - PENALTY! Kuruvoli kicks his fourth penalty of the game to extend Fiji’s lead (AUS 8-12 FIJ)
• 23’ - TRY! Nawaqanitawase’s quick-thiking leads to first try (AUS 8-6 FIJ)

[17 September 2023 16:47 · Luke Baker]

KICK-OFF! Australia 0-0 Fiji, 1 mins

I’m excited for this one - could be the game of the World Cup so far! So much on the line. Referee Andrew Brace gets us underway

[17 September 2023 16:44 · Luke Baker]

Australia vs Fiji

A final bit of pre-match viewing. Australia coach Eddie Jones has been interviewed on ITV - some good stuff in there

[17 September 2023 16:40 · Luke Baker]

Australia vs Fiji

The teams are out on the pitch. This should be an absolute belter of a match. Can Fiji keep their quarter-final hopes alive?

[17 September 2023 16:37 · Luke Baker]

Fiji team news

Simon Raiwalui makes four changes after Fiji’s narrow defeat to Wales. There are changes on both wings as Selestino Ravutaumada and Vinaya Habosi miss out, with Jiuta Wainiqolo coming in on the right wing and Semi Radradra moving out of the midfield and onto the left,with Josua Tuisova replacing him at inside centre.

Elsewhere, Simione Kuruvoli is preferred to Frank Lomani at scrum-half, while Levani Botia replaces Albert Tuisue in the back row.

Fiji XV: 15-Ilaisa Droasese, 14-Jiuta Wainiqolo, 13-Waisea Nayacalevu (c), 12-Josua Tuisova, 11-Semi Radradra, 10-Teti Tela, 9-Simione Kuruvoli; 1-Eroni Mawi, 2-Samuel Matavesi, 3-Luke Tagi, 4-Isoa Nasilasila, 5-Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, 6-Lekima Tagitagivalu, 7-Levani Botia, 8-Viliame Mata.

Replacements: 16-Tevita Ikanivere, 17-Peni Ravai, 18-Mesake Doge, 19-Temo Mayanavanua, 20-Albert Tuisue, 21-Frank Lomani, 22-Vilimoni Botitu, 23-Vinaya Habosi.

[17 September 2023 16:31 · Luke Baker]

When is Australia vs Fiji and how can I watch it?

When is Australia vs Fiji?

Australia vs Fiji is due to kick off at 4:45pm BST on Sunday 17 September at the S Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in Saint-Etienne.

How can I watch it?

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on ITV1, with coverage on the channel from 4:15pm BST. Registered users can also stream the action via ITVX.

[17 September 2023 16:25 · Luke Baker]

Is Australia vs Fiji on TV? Channel, start time and how to watch Rugby World Cup

Australia look to cement their position at the top of Pool C but they face a tricky encounter against Fiji.

Eddie Jones’s side ended their five-game losing streak in convincing fashion as they beat Georgia 35-15 on the opening weekend of the Rugby World Cup. Jones is in his second stint managing the Wallabies and will be keen to build on that opening-weekend momentum against the Pacific Islanders who they are unbeaten against since 1954.

Fiji, however, will provide a stern test as they look to bounce back from their heartbreaking 32-26 defeat to Wales in Bordeaux last weekend and keep their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals alive.

Here’s everything you need to know.

[17 September 2023 16:17 · Luke Baker]

Australia team news - captain Will Skelton ruled out with a calf injury

Australia captain Will Skelton has been withdrawn from today’s crunch World Cup clash against Fiji with a calf strain after failing to prove his fitness.

Hooker Dave Porecki will lead the Wallabies in the Pool C match in his absence, while Richie Arnold will take his place in the second row and Matt Philip comes in as cover for the locks on the bench.

Skelton’s injury is a second blow for Australia this week as they prepare for a match at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard which could all but earn them a place in the quarter-finals. Tighthead prop Taniela “Tongan Thor” Tupou will miss the match after sustaining a hamstring strain also described as minor by team officials.

Team: 15-Ben Donaldson, 14-Mark Nawaqanitawase, 13-Jordan Petaia, 12-Samu Kerevi, 11-Marika Koroibete, 10-Carter Gordon, 9-Nic White, 8-Rob Valetini, 7-Fraser McReight, 6-Tom Hooper, 5-Richie Arnold, 4-Nick Frost, 3-James Slipper, 2-David Porecki (captain), 1-Angus Bell

Replacements: 16-Jordan Uelese, 17-Blake Schoupp, 18-Zane Nonggorr, 19-Matt Philip, 20-Rob Leota, 21-Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 22-Lalakai Foketi, 23-Suliasi Vunivalu

[17 September 2023 16:04 · Luke Baker]

Australia vs Fiji

Ok, with that huge South Africa win in the books, we’ll be turning our attention to Australia vs Fiji very shortly. It’s arguably the biggest game of the weekend with serious implications in the race for the quarter-final places in Pool C.

(Getty Images)

[17 September 2023 16:02 · Luke Baker]

South Africa 76-0 Romania

Here was one of Makazole Mapimpi’s three tries today. A superb performance from the flying winger

[17 September 2023 15:49 · Luke Baker]

FULL-TIME! South Africa 76-0 Romania

And that’s it! All over in Bordeaux as South Africa do exactly what’s expected of them - they thump Romania 76-0, very impressive.

Reinach and Mapimpi with hat-tricks and they now turn attention towards Ireland. A huge game

(AFP via Getty Images)